Saturday, February 21, 2015

Montana Indian Equity Fund Awards $84,000 in Grants to Nine Native American Business Owners

Sun Tours used their grant money to add a coach to their existing fleet of tour buses

Every year since 2007, The Montana Indian Equity Fund has been awarding grants to small businesses in Montana owned by Native Americans. This year, 9 business owners received grants totaling $84,000.
The Montana Indian Equity Fund is a state-funded program administered by the Montana Department of Commerce. The fund was created to help Native American business owners grow and expand their business operations. Individual grants recently awarded ranged from $2,500 to $14,000.

The grant money helped construction firms, engineering companies, coffee shops, transportation companies, and other small businesses throughout Montana. The money was used for marketing and advertising, tools and equipment, and other business-related expenses. The grant investments in these small businesses plays a big role in support of communities throughout the state of Montana.

As Montana's Governor Steve Bullock explained what the grant program accomplishes, “Native-owned businesses and our tribal communities play a crucial role in the strength and vitality of main streets throughout Montana.” “These grants help support the entrepreneurial activities taking place at Native-owned businesses across Montana.”